A fireplace designer is a professional who specializes in designing and creating custom fireplace areas for both residential and commercial properties. They work closely with clients to understand their unique needs and preferences, utilizing their knowledge of design, materials, and construction to create a functional and distinctive fireplace that meets those requirements.

The responsibilities of a fireplace designer include conceptualizing designs, selecting appropriate materials, creating detailed drawings and specifications, collaborating with other professionals, and overseeing construction and installation.

Fireplace design can be challenging due to the need to balance aesthetic considerations with functional requirements, including fire regulations and building codes. Each project is unique, and requires creativity, adaptability, and innovative solutions to design challenges.

Fireplace designers may focus on a specific type of fireplace – for example, gas fireplaces. Or they may have knowledge about all types of fireplaces – gas, wood, and electric. Each type of fireplace comes with it’s own challenges. When interviewing a fireplace designer, make sure to confirm that they have knowledge about the specific type of fireplace you are interested in.

Here are some things I focus on when designing a fireplace area:

1. Does the area already have an existing fireplace that you want to remodel? Or is this a brand new fireplace?
2. Is there a need for heat? If so, how much heat? Does the heat need to reach an adjacent room?
3. What are the other heat sources for this room? (Central heating / forced air furnace, baseboard heater, mini split, etc.)
4. Does the client want ZERO heat?
5. Ceiling height and size of room.
6. Existing roof construction and plan for vent termination.
7. Furniture placement and proximity to fireplace.
8. How often will the fireplace be used? Will it be used yearlong or just a few months out of the year?
9. Will there be a TV mounted over the fireplace? What size TV would look best over the fireplace? How high should the TV be mounted?
10. Hearth – is a hearth required or desired? What dimension should the hearth be? Do you want to be able to sit on the hearth?
11. Combustible facing materials and clearances.
12. Does the client want a mantel? Will the mantel interfere with artwork or a TV? Does the mantel need to be non-combustible?
13. If discussing a wood fireplace – is there a nearby wood storage area? Is the home in a windy area – will a special chimney cap be required?
14. If a gas fireplace – does a gas line need to be installed? If existing gas line, is it sized appropriately to supply the appliance and not affect other gas appliances in the house. (gas calculations required).
15. Other venting considerations – interpreting the venting table/diagram and planning the path of venting around framing, beams, etc while meeting the required length of vent pipe and not inserting too many vent offsets which could affect the function of the fireplace and chimney.
16. Ongoing maintenance requirements.

These are just a few of the considerations I look at when working with a fireplace client. If you have specific questions about fireplaces, please reach out and we can put together a special fireplace design plan just for you.